The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, vol. 1
Overview
This first volume contains nearly five hundred correspondences written between 1734–1742. It is said of these letters in the preface, "his friends, and even his enemies (should there be any such) will here openly behold his unwearied diligence, undaunting firmness, noble disinterestedness, and exceeding usefulness in the work of the ministry; also, his remarkable fidelity in friendship, exemplary piety, and fervent zeal for the prosperity of pure and undefiled religion."
Top Highlights
“He was truly God, and therefore could satisfy; he was truly man, and therefore could obey and suffer in our stead. He was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.” (Page 173)
“The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down.” (Page 8)
“Proper retirement and solitude are no bars; but rather great helps to a religious life. We find, our Saviour was led into a wilderness, before he entered on his publick ministry, and so must we too, if we ever intend to tread in his steps.” (Page 10)
“Had I an hundred hands I could employ them all. The harvest is very great. I am ashamed I can do no more for him, who hath done so much for me; not by way of retaliation, but gratitude.” (Page 55)
“Pain, if patiently endured, and sanctified to us, is a great purifier of our corrupted nature” (Page 3)
Praise for the Print Edition
Reading the life of such a great saint—this Christ-loving, gospel-centered minister—has served to rekindle my passion for the gospel and rejuvenate the love of God in my soul more than once.
—Online Reviewer
Product Details
- Title: The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, vol. 1
- Author: George Whitefield
- Publisher: Edinburgh
- Publication Date: 1771
- Pages: 480
George Whitefield (1714–1770) was one of the founders of Methodism and influential in the spread of the Great Awakening in both Britain and the British North American colonies. He believed in preaching his sermons without notes in order to allow room for the Holy Spirit to guide his speaking, and was known for his theatrical delivery.
Whitefield studied at Oxford, where he met Charles and John Wesley. The Wesley brothers were a part of what was referred to as the “Holy Club” on campus, which Whitefield joined and by which he was quite influenced, later becoming the president. In 1738, he came to America for the first of seven trips he would make across the ocean. During this first trip, he founded the orphanage Bethseda just outside of Savannah, Georgia.
Throughout his life, he toured all over New England, England, Scotland, and Wales, preaching to crowds of up to tens of thousands at a time, greatly influencing the Great Awakening and the early Methodist Church.
Selected Sermons of George Whitefield contains over 50 of Whitefield’s sermons on a variety of topics, which are still edifying to read and study today, and you can find hundreds of his letters and journal entries in The Works of George Whitefield (13 vols.).